Trial and Glory (22 page)

In any other situation, the pain might be too unbearable for him to focus. However, his name shouted by two familiar voices brought a warm smile to his face.

They’re alive. I did it.

A coldness washed over him.

* * *

Nareash watched the defenders repel those that had managed a foothold on the middle wall. He opened and closed his fists slowly in anger.

With Kaz dead, I thought they would be defeated by now.

Once Guwan finished moving the Kifzo into position, he knew their skill and discipline would overwhelm the defenders. He had kept them out of the battle, worried their involvement might entice Krytien to escalate matters before he had a better feel of the mage’s power. Though he had tens of thousands of men at his disposal, Nareash did not want to throw away the lives of his best assets.

Nareash reached Colan just as a ballista impaled one of the lesser mages some forty feet from his apprentice’s position.

Blasted engineers.

“Are you going to just let them take down all our mages?”

“I need more time to work the spells I had in mind to challenge Krytien. I’ve been too busy coordinating the others and—”

“What were your orders?”

“To take Krytien down.”

“Then let the others fend for themselves.”

Colan swallowed. “Yes, Master.”

He turned away from Nareash, drawing in a substantial amount of power.

He’s grown much stronger. Good. Coupled with the Kifzo’s added pressure, I should be able to finally gauge what Krytien is capable of.

* * *

Krytien sighed in relief as the wall’s defenders regained control of the battlements. Kroke had dived into the worst of it with dozens of other soldiers following at his heels. A maelstrom of death followed.

Though Krytien lost the assassin amidst the chaos, he knew Kroke would keep Yanasi and Jeldor’s lines from breaking again.

And if he can’t then it’s likely no one can.

With his worries eased, Krytien focused all his attention on the enemy mages. He felt a change in the air. Others felt it too, for he heard their exclamations. Several fireballs arced from both his left and right to where the welling of power originated. The attacks of the mages under his command ran into an invisible barrier and dissipated. Enemy mages countered, putting his people on the defensive.

Leaving me alone to contend with what’s building.

His stomach dropped. The moment he dreaded most had finally arrived. Worried that Nareash had finally entered the battle, he braced himself.

Lightning-like projectiles raced over the killing ground toward him. His defenses bent inward from the attack, yet he suffered no damage. Though the strike held more power in its ferocity than what he had faced since the start of the siege, he recognized its familiarity.

He tracked the spell, finally locating the unknown mage who had been giving him trouble for so long. Apparently the mage had grown tired of hiding.

Sorcerous attacks from either side continued. However, both sides left Krytien and his opponent alone.

A bug bit into his neck. Another on his cheek. Then dozens more. A swarm of insects appeared, buzzing before his face, sweeping in like raindrops. He canted a quick spell disintegrating the nuisances.

Two boulders appeared from nowhere, slamming into his defenses. The impact flung him to his back. His head hit the rough stone, and he winced at the resulting throbbing in his head. He swore at falling for the mage’s distraction.

He used those blasted insects before, you idiot.

Another boulder appeared above his head and fell from the sky. His hand snapped out. Imaginary fingers wrapped themselves around the stone. The boulder paused in mid-air under Krytien’s control. He swung his arm, flinging the boulder back at his opponent.

He ignored the pounding in his head and climbed to his feet. Anger burned through his veins as he gathered himself.

What’s the matter with you?

He realized his fear of the High Mage had distracted him from his efforts against the one he fought now.

He has skill, no doubt. But I’ve beaten mages like him before.

The sounds of battle rung in his ears—groans of agony, wails of despair, and cries of anger.

Get your act together, and quit playing around.

Another boulder sailed toward him, much larger than what had been thrown before. Before it reached the halfway point Krytien turned it back against its wielder with everything he had.

* * *

“I actually felt the ground shake when that one struck,” said Senald.

“That had to hurt. That sucker must have gotten under Krytien’s skin good,” said Raker.

“That’s it? No swearing?”

Raker spat. “Why would I be swearing? That’s one less mage. And actually, I think that one was one of the stronger ones. Look at the way the others are suddenly looking around. Quick, get another ballista ready. We might have to start releasing shots without waiting for Krytien to mark them.”

Raker started working on the equipment.

Senald jumped in to give him a hand. “I can see you being happy the mage is dead, I just figured you’d want to do the killing yourself. I know you’re running that bet with Drake.”

Raker tugged on some rope with a grunt. “True. But how often have you ever seen anything like that? I mean the splatter from the impact had to have gone close to twenty feet. Don’t you think?”

“At least.”

Raker grinned. “Sometimes, the little things in life are worth far more than a coin or two.”

Senald gave him a confused look. “Seriously?”

Raker punched him in the arm with his good hand. “No. I’m just trying not to dwell on the fact that I could end up losing twenty gold. I mean Krytien could have put that boulder on his leg or something and let me finish him off.”

Senald chuckled. “That’s what I thought.”

* * *

Guwan felt the heavy thud reverberate through his feet. He turned as a gap in the forces along the middle wall appeared where Colan had been positioned. The sorcery that had hovered over the battlefield stopped.

Colan failed. Nareash will step up soon to face Krytien. It’s up to me to take the wall quickly in order to be ready for the victor.

The break in sorcery extended to the melee as he and the Kifzo poured out of the outer wall, lining up in the killing ground with little opposition.

He had expected bowfire and artillery to continue as he organized his elite units for the next assault. Yet, many defenders stared at the Kifzo standing shoulder-to-shoulder while the remaining Thurum soldiers sent in from the last wave died by sword and spear.

“They’re scared,” said Itken.

Itken had requested to fight in the front ranks. Guwan granted it. He took the spot next to him.

Why not give him the honor of being on the first line? He’s injured already from his mission. Even with his skill, it’s likely someone will kill him. Let him die with pride.

“Of course they’re scared,” said Guwan. “They’ve never seen anything like us before.” He paused. “Let’s take this wall.”

He gave the signal. A wave of blue and gray marched forward. The Kifzo continued to spill forth from the outer wall’s stairwells, falling in behind their fellow warriors as space opened in the rear.

Shield held tight in front and sword drawn, he led the way.
I’ll break them myself if I have to.

The Kifzo trampled the dead littering the space without remorse. Guwan wanted to spit at their failure.

So caught up in his moment of glory, it wasn’t until he started the climb up the ramp that he realized that the defenders still had not released an arrow, thrown one spear, nor shouted any obscenities toward his men. He thought before that they might have held the Kifzo in awe, but even the most intimidated soldiers would have gathered themselves by now.

Let alone thousands.

A large man in nondescript armor separated himself from the ranks of those on the ramp. Dents and splatters of blood adorned his plate. Something about the way he moved seemed familiar.

No.

In all his life, only two people had ever moved so gracefully while carrying such size. One remained in Hesh ruling over the continent.

And the other is dead.

He wheeled toward Itken, sword sweeping toward the traitor. His blade struck only air. A short knife slammed into the slit of his visor.

* * *

Kaz’s eyes widened as Guwan’s body dropped. Itken removed the dagger from the Kifzo’s helm. Words he had prepared to say to Guwan, offering him a chance, no longer held importance.

He tensed, unsure if Itken would continue with their plan or suffer a change of heart.

Men along the walls cast nervous glances at the Kifzo as they stood ready for Kaz’s orders. The Kifzo betrayed nothing, standing patiently at attention.

Itken spat on Guwan’s body, marched toward Kaz, and stopped an arm’s length away. “I know that isn’t what we agreed on,” said the Kifzo. “But I could not bring myself to simply injure him. It’s an embarrassment how he’s being used by everyone. If I did not kill him now, someone would have killed him later.” He paused. “Punish me as you like. I know it’s your right as warleader.”

“Does that mean that you still submit to my command?”

“Yes.”

Kaz nodded to the Kifzo. “And the others.”

“So long as you do what you promised.”

“I will.”

“Then we are yours.” He whispered. “It seems that more shared our wishes of peace and family than I imagined.”

Relief washed over Kaz. “Good. Fall back into line and see that all are positioned as we discussed.”

Itken’s eyes widened. “You allow me the honor to fight? No punishment?”

“If you haven’t noticed, I’m not the same man you once knew.”

* * *

Nareash calmly watched the Kifzo take position on the middle wall. Arrows and ballista from both sides once more took to the air after the brief exchange. However, the close quarter fighting would not continue until someone gave his army orders to renew the assault as Guwan had told them to stand aside while the Kifzo attacked.

I’d have thought him to be a traitor if not for the knife in his eye. One Above, this just keeps getting better.

“You’re taking that better than I thought you would.”

Nareash turned toward Hezen as the man strode up to him. He gestured toward the Kifzo. “Oh, I’m quite . . . disappointed.”

“Just disappointed? And what about Colan? He—”

“He served his purpose.”

Hezen nodded. “I see. So, you learned what you needed to about Krytien?”

“Yes.”
All this time, he never had the scepter. Being closer to Colan when they fought, I would have sensed it.
He chuckled as weeks of stress and anxiety rose off his shoulders, uncaring at how ridiculous he probably looked. A snort slipped out.
Colan and Guwan dead. The Kifzo turning. In the end, none of it matters.

Granted, Krytien does have some skill, but he has no confidence in his abilities. Even against Colan, he seemed hesitant. And hesitancy against me will get him killed.

“So then what is your plan?”

“My plan,” said the High Mage, voice growing hard, “is for you to take over command of the army now that our leadership is wiped out. You will attack with everything you have. Forget about organized waves of men. I want it to be absolute chaos down there. I want the Kifzo overwhelmed.”

“I can do that.”

“Of course you can.” He paused. “Hezen. You must think me a fool not to know about the meetings you had with Colan and especially Guwan.”

Hezen opened his mouth, but Nareash continued, cutting the man off. “I understand the idea of eliminating competition and never being satisfied with what you have.” He grabbed Hezen’s hand, leaning close. While staring into the man’s eyes, Nareash raised the temperature in Hezen’s body. The fear he saw made him smile. “Do you also understand that I don’t need you, just like I didn’t need Colan or Guwan? They were helpful, but not necessary. I had much more respect for them, and you see how little I care about their deaths.”

Hezen nodded painfully.

“Good. Then know that if you fail me or try to cross me again in any way, I will make you suffer more than you can ever imagine.” He released his grip. Hezen blinked while swaying on his feet. “Now, get to work.”

* * *

“It took them long enough to make up their mind. Not that I’m complaining about the break,” said Crusher, staring out at the enemy readying themselves once again.

Kaz stood next to him. “Nareash needed to place someone else in charge of his main forces.”

The Ghal leaned down, gestured with his warhammer toward the lines of blue and gray armored Kifzo lining the walls and whispered. “You sure about this, right? What’s to stop them from turning on us?”

Kaz lowered his voice. “Truthfully, nothing. With the position we gave them, they could take us easily. But if that was their intent, they would have killed us all by now.”

Crusher grunted. “They’re coming.”

Lacking the Ghal’s height, Kaz moved to a better view. Enemy soldiers flowed out from the valley and crested the outer wall. The newcomers pushed and shoved their own while cramming their way down tunnels and staircases to the killing ground. “No more holding back. I expect Nareash to show at any moment.”

Then it will be up to you, Krytien.

Deafening war cries sounded, echoing off the sides of the mountains flanking the fortress on either side. Kaz had never heard anything so loud in his life.

“You’re positive the Kifzo can handle this alone? I know they must be good, but I can get back toward—”

Kaz put up a hand, stopping the giant. “I’m positive.”

He switched to Heshan, shouting out orders. “I know you all want peace as badly as I do. I promise to bring it to you. However, like everything else in our life, peace is something we must fight for. I know you feel slighted and dishonored for being held back. So, let’s make sure this land never forgets us!”